Saab Delivers First 'Gripen E' Fighter Jet to Brazil

Marked by a ceremony in Linkoping, Sweden, on 10 September, the first Brazilian Gripen E aircraft was delivered to the Brazilian Air Force to start the flight test programme.

Initially flight tests will be performed in Sweden and by the end of 2020, the aircraft will move to Brazil to continue the flight test campaign in the country. In 2021, deliveries to the Brazilian Air force will begin.

The ceremony was attended by Fernando Azevedo e Silva, Brazilian Minister for Defence and Lieutenant Brigadier Antonio Carlos Moretti Bermudez, Chief of the Brazilian Air Force, Major General Mats Helgesson, Commander of the Swedish Air Force; and representing Saab Hakan Buskhe, President and CEO besides and Jonas Hjelm, Senior Vice President, Saab.

“With Gripen, Brazil will have one of the most advanced fighters in the world and the technology transfer programme will allow Brazil to develop, produce and maintain supersonic fighters,” says Hakan Buskhe, President and CEO of Saab.

Brazil Gripen E in flight: Illustration by Saab

“Gripen increases the operational capacity of the Brazilian Air Force and boosts a partnership that ensures transfer of technology to Brazil, fosters research and industrial development in both countries,” says Fernando Azevedo e Silva, Brazilian Minister for Defence.

“The Brazilian Air Force now has a new multi-mission platform for the fulfilment of its actions to control, defend and integrate the national territory,” says Lieutenant Brigadier Antonio Carlos Moretti Bermudez, Chief of the Brazilian Air Force.

The partnership with Brazil started in 2014 with the contract (order value 39.3 BSEK) for the development and production of 36 Gripen E/F for the Brazilian Air Force, including related systems, support and equipment. Saab is driving the development of the local aeronautics industry through its national partners in the Brazilian Gripen programme, which includes a comprehensive transfer of technology programme to Brazil, to be delivered over approximately ten years.

Starting in 2021, the complete aircraft assembly of 15 aircraft will begin in Brazil. Development of the two-seat Gripen F is progressing with extensive activities at Gripen Design and Development Network in Gavião Peixoto, Brazil. Gripen F deliveries are expected to start in 2023.

Gripen E builds on the successful design of earlier versions. Gripen is a modern fighter with a balanced design equipped with all you can ask for from a multirole fighter.